Ask Damascus did not misuse election funds, state finds

The Secretary of State's office will drop a case that claimed the political action committee Ask Damascus misused election funds.

David Jothen, who is working to disincorporate Damascus, accused Ask Damascus of improperly paying $1,000 in legal fees to support a ballot title challenge submitted by Dan Phegley. Jothen contended the challenge over a proposed measure to disincorporate was a personal expense because it was filed in Phegley's name.

Phegley responded to the Secretary of State's office Tuesday, saying it would have been impossible to put the ballot title challenge in Ask Damascus' name because it's against state law. He said that Ask Damascus opposes disincorporation and the ballot title.

The Secretary of State's office found Wednesday that there was no violation and it will drop the case.

"There was no personal use of money. Dan Phegley acted on behalf of the PAC. Because a PAC cannot file a challenge, he filed it personally. We expect to get a letter out next week which will close the case," wrote Nancy Ferry, a compliance specialist with the Secretary of State's office.